Dairy Safety, Storage & Tips

How long milk lasts past it’s expiration date:

• All milk, once opened = 4-7 days
• Unopened whole milk = 5-7 days
• Unopened reduced fat & skim milk = 7 days
• Unopened non-fat and lactose free milk = 7-10 days

To keep your milk fresh and safe:

• Store at 38-40º F
• Store in the original container and keep the lid tightly closed to avoid possible contamination
• Place at the back of the refrigerator, away from the door to keep cold
• Do not leave unrefrigerated for more than two hours

Use tips in this infographic as a guide when stocking your refrigerator to help keep your food fresh the longest

Click on image to view at full size

Tips to properly freeze and thaw milk for later use:

• Pour some milk out of the container to make room for expansion when freezing
• Separation of fat from the milk is normal during freezing, and thawing
• Freeze for up to three months
• Thaw in the refrigerator, shake to mix the fat and milk together
• Use within five days of thawing

Freezing cheese can be a little tricky:

• Soft cheeses like mozzarella are best frozen when shredded
• Hard cheeses like aged Cheddar become crumbly when frozen, so are best used as toppings when thawed
• For large blocks of cheese, cut into smaller sections and wrap in plastic wrap or place in freezer bags
• Thaw cheese for 24-48 hours in the refrigerator to allow the moisture to settle back into the cheese
• Use thawed cheese as quickly as possible

Salted butter:

• The more salt in butter, the safer it may be to leave on the counter. But play it safe by limiting time on the counter to no more than a couple of days.

Unsalted and whipped butter:

• Unsalted and whipped butter should be kept refrigerated to prevent from spoiling.

Tips on freezing butter:

• Maintain taste and freshness by keeping butter in its original wrapper, or wrapping in foil or plastic and placing in a sealed container
• Unsalted butter may be frozen for up to five months, salted butter up to nine months
• Thaw in the refrigerator, or grate the butter for quick thawing
• Use as quickly as possible

Tips on softening butter for recipes